2023 was full of important milestones, from the Mid Atlantic Chapter’s 60th Anniversary to the remembrance of industry leaders who passed away.
By Elisa Fernández-Arias
2023 was a momentous year at NKBA. The association celebrated 60 years in the industry, multiple member companies and individual members achieved 60- and 25-year milestones, and several important figures from the kitchen and bath industry left us too soon. As we look back on 2023, here are some of the most important milestones:
In Memoriam
The industry lost several NKBA members and influential kitchen and bath figures in 2023.
Stephen “Mac” McDonald, a leading kitchen and bath industry figure, founder of Thurston Kitchen and Bath and longtime NKBA member, passed away on Jan. 23. After the founding of his company Thurston Kitchen and Bath in 1977, it and its subsidiaries grew to over 18 locations throughout Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. In Colorado, Mac was widely recognized as one of the leading figures in the regional kitchen and bath industry throughout his long and distinguished career. Learn more about Stephen “Mac” McDonald in his NKBA obituary here.
Ric Coggins, NKBA Chapter and National Leader who held multiple local and national posts, passed away on Jan. 31. Ric actively served in the NKBA since 2004 and was considered one of the Arizona Chapter’s greatest contributors. He also held several national positions, including various positions on the national advisory council, and in 2014 was elected to NKBA’s Executive Committee as National Vice President. After retiring, Ric remained very active in the Arizona Chapter, where he served as a consultant. He was involved in multiple aspects of the kitchen bath and home industry, including design, sales and marketing, for 49 years. Read Ric Coggins’ NKBA obituary here.
Bill Oesterle, the Co-founder and former CEO of Angie’s List, passed away on May 10. Oesterle co-founded Angie’s List in 1995 with Angie Hicks, currently the Chief Customer Officer of Angi Homeservices Inc., a Denver-based service that connects consumers with personalized solutions, service pros, and “fair and transparent pricing” for everything from house cleaning to major remodels. Oesterle became CEO of Angie’s in 1999 and during his tenure until his resignation in 2015, the company evolved from a hyperlocal business to a nationwide service with millions of subscribers. You can read Bill Oesterle’s NKBA obituary here.
Charlotte Ann Breidenstein, a former NKBA staff member who worked with the association for 28 years, passed away in December. Prior to her retirement in 2012,, Charlotte helped to develop NKBA’s Governance, Education and Conference Departments. To read Charlotte Ann Breidenstein’s NKBA obituary, go here.
60 Year Milestone: the NKBA Mid Atlantic Chapter
The Mid Atlantic Chapter celebrated a significant occasion in 2023: just like the association itself, they celebrated their 60 year anniversary — being the founding chapter of NKBA! The chapter commemorated their special day with the association, throwing a Garden Party as one of the NKBA 60th Anniversary celebrations last year at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey. More than 50 members came to the Mid Atlantic event to reminisce and celebrate not only NKBA’s 60th Anniversary, but the Mid Atlantic Chapter’s anniversary as well. Additional details about the celebration can be found here.
60 Year Milestone: Bradley Berkoff
Bradley Berkoff, CKD, a South Florida Chapter member, celebrated 60 years as an NKBA member in 2023. A kitchen and bath designer, he joined the association at its start — and has been with NKBA since then.
25 Year Milestones: Companies
Many NKBA member companies reached 25 years of membership in 2023 — they’ve been with the association almost half as long as it has been around! Here we spotlight some of these brands:
Kimble + Kimble LLC, in Harbor Springs, Michigan, run by David Kimble, AIA and Caroline Kimble, CKBD, Northern Michigan Chapter member, offers architecture and interior design services throughout the Northern Michigan area . Learn more about the company here.
Run by Steven Ramaekers, CR, President/Founder and Christine Ramaekers, CKD, Vice President, who are both Michigan State Chapter members, MainStreet Design Build in Birmingham, Michigan, was founded in 1991 and provides home remodeling to its clients. Find out more about the company here.
Patricia Davis Brown Design, LLC in Vero Beach, Florida, founded by Patricia Davis Brown, CMKBD, Florida Treasure Coast Chapter member, opened in 1992 and offers commercial and residential interior remodels and design services, universal design, custom furnishing design and more to clients in Florida. Learn more here.
Owned by Anita Colby, CMKBD, Northern New England Chapter member, The CabinetWorks is based in Stratham, New Hampshire and provides design services to the New Hampshire and New England regions. For more details on the company, go here.
Top Drawer Kitchens, in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, is run by Wally Bakely, CKD, Mid Atlantic Chapter member. The business has been in operation for more than 30 years, offering kitchen, bath and cabinetry design to both residential and commercial clients. Visit the company’s NKBA profile here.
60 Years of NKBA
The association itself reached a significant milestone in 2023: its 60th Anniversary! Starting off with ’60s-themed activations and a toast at the start of the year at KBIS in Las Vegas, the celebration continued throughout the year, with various chapters commemorating NKBA’s 60 years of leadership in the kitchen and bath industry. 60th anniversary chapter events include the SKS-sponsored Puget Sound and Olympic – West Sound, Northern New England, Northern California and Manhattan chapters’ events; Dacor-sponsored Manhattan Chapter event; and the Mid Atlantic and Georgia chapters’ events, which were not sponsored. The festivities will continue in2024 with the Southern California Chapter’s event, sponsored by Dacor, as well as events held by the Baltimore/Washington Chapter and the Chicago Chapter.
